Diffusion of Modular Home Installation Safe Work Practices as a Result of Field Research

1. Diffusion of Modular Home Installation Safe Work Practices as a Result of Field Research Mark Fullen, MS, CSP - Assistant Professor, West Virginia University Safety & Health Extension Brandon Takacs, MS – Assistant Professor, West Virginia University Safety & Health Extension Elizabeth Keller, Graduate Assistant, West Virginia University MS. Safety Management 2008 National Occupational Injury Research Symposium October 21-23, 2008, Pittsburgh, PA

2. Overview • Review of Modular Home Installation field study research and results • Review of hazards specific to modular home installation • Review of training developed based on field research

3. Acknowledgments • Modular Home Field Research Study funded by NIOSH & The Center for Construction Research & Training (CPWR). • Modular Home Training Material Development and Training Grants funded by the OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant Program • Brandon Takacs • Wayne Lundstrom • Elizabeth Keller

4. Background While conducting fall protection training for a modular home installer WVU learned about unique and serious hazards to workers involved in this work activity. WVU completed a small study funded by CPWR. The research involved videotaping 4 complete modular home installations, conducting Job Safety Analyses, collecting worker and owner questionnaires to identify safety hazards that are unique to the industry.

5. Unique Job Tasks as Compared to Stick Built Residential Construction • Flagging traffic while positioning the home and trailer for hoisting. (struck by) • Rigging and Hoisting large, heavy modules with an inexperienced workforce on a site under less than desirable conditions. (struck by, caught between, fall) • Working under the load (module) while it is being hoisted into place. (struck by, caught between) • Aligning the house into place. (caught between) • Accessing the foundation wall with a ladder that does not exceed the top edge of the wall. (clearance for the house to set) • Riding the tilt-up roof into place. (riding the load) • Accessing the attic area from the roof top. (fall) • Working under the roof while it is suspended by the crane. (caught between, struck by, fall)

6. Rigging Hazards

7. Hoisting Hazards

8. Tilt Up Roof Hazards

9. Recommendations from Study • Manufacturers of modular homes need to design roof supports within the attic area to support the roof continually through the tilt-up process (i.e., telescoping or roll out support). • Anchor points need to be installed by the manufacturers of modular homes or by the installation contractor to provide fall protection for workers on the roofs and in the attics. • Employees need trained in safe procedures related to rigging and hoisting these modular homes. • Employees should use safe work practices to avoid crushing and fall hazards • The industry would benefit from an OSHA guideline similar to that of Precast Concrete Erection or Steel Erection. • OSHA regulations needed to address hazards specific to the installation of modular and manufactured homes.

10. Training Material Developed • Based on the results and industry interest from the study, WVU obtained grant funding from OSHA to develop and deliver training material for modular home installers. • The training curriculum is based in large part on the hazards identified in the study. • Training material development is complete and training is currently being delivered through grant funding.

11. Training Material Overview • The training material addresses potential hazards and offers safe controls for all phases of the modular home installation process. • Job Phases addressed are as follows: • Site Preparation • Transport & Delivery • Hoisting & Rigging Modules • Setting Modules & Accessing Foundation • Tilt Up Roof Hazards • Available on DVD through www.residentialfallsafe.org

12. Further Dissemination • The Modular Housing Training Institute (MHTI), Pennsylvania College of Technology, uses the training material to address safety in their courses for the modular home industry including “Complete Modular Home Set” and “Introduction to Site Management of Modular Construction” courses. • WVU has collaborated with MHTI to hold Modular Home Installation Safety classes throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. • Discussions have begun to collaborate with the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) to develop a national safety standard addressing safety requirements for the installation of all manufactured homes.

13. Future Research / Activities • Additional research needs conducted in the areas of industry specific fatality and injury data, industry relationships and the economics of this industry. • Research and Development in the design of safety systems that could be integrated into the manufacturing process of these and other manufactured homes to protect the employees completing installation. • Continued development and revision of training material and fact sheets. • A similar study needs to be conducted evaluating the unique hazards of installing HUD code manufactured homes.

14. Thank youQuestions? Contact Information: Mark Fullen, MS, CSP WVU Safety & Health Extension 130 Tower Lane Morgantown, WV 26506 Phone: (304)293-3200 Email: m.fullen@mail.wvu.edu